Review of The Words We Lost by Nicole Deese

 

About the Book ~

Three friends. Two broken promises. One missing manuscript.

As a senior acquisitions editor for Fog Harbor Books in San Francisco, Ingrid Erikson has rejected many a manuscript for lack of defined conflict and dramatic irony--two elements her current life possesses in spades. In the months following the death of her childhood best friend and international bestselling author Cecelia Campbell, Ingrid has not only lost her ability to escape into fiction due to a rare trauma response, but she's also desperate to find the closure she's convinced will come with Cecelia's missing final manuscript.

After Ingrid jeopardizes her career, she fears her future will remain irrevocably broken. But then Joel Campbell--the man who shattered her belief in happily-ever-afters--offers her a sealed envelope from his late cousin, Cecelia, asking Joel and to put their differences aside and retrieve a mysterious package in their coastal Washington hometown.

Honoring Cecelia's last request will challenge their convictions and test their loyalties, but through it all, will Ingrid and Joel be brave enough to uncover a twice-in-a-lifetime love?

For more information about Nicole Deese and her books, check out her website here! 

My Thoughts ~

The Words We Lost by Nicole Deese is a beautiful book that will take your breath away in equal parts oh-so-relatable agony and all the hearts of starry-eyed romance! 

There's little I could say that would do justice to The Words We Lost and the beauty of this story! The setting came alive in my mind's eye. The bookish angle filled me with delight. The romance embodied everything I love about romance. While navigating grief was a central piece of the plot, The Words We Lost never felt depressing. A beautiful story of hope, life, and second chances emerged and moved me to tears on more than one page! What made me both love and hate the author was how I fell in love Cece in the past tense, especially because The Words We Lost was one of those stories where the characters felt like your best friends. Because of that, I didn't just experience Ingrid, Joel, and everyone else's grief; I grieved the loss of Cece as a character, knowing that the only piece of her I would ever have would forever stay in the brilliantly framed flashbacks.

Holding onto God and finding yourself after devastating loss frames the spiritual journey in The Words We Lost. Every piece was thoughtfully and uniquely layered into each character, compiling into an overarching message that God is a good God who truly sees us and draws near to us, always faithful to be exactly what we need. This message was so eloquently conveyed that I closed the book thinking, "Now that's my God!"

Five Stars ~ The Words We Lost by Nicole Deese is breathtaking! The Words We Lost is the first book in the author's new series, A Fog Harbor Romance. I might implode with excitement waiting for the next book! 

Disclaimer ~ In accordance with FTC regulations, I received a copy of this book from the publisher. I was not compensated, nor was a positive review required. All opinions expressed are my own.

See you next time, and God bless you guys!!!

Hugs!

~V. Joy Palmer

V. Joy Palmer loves to write romantic and comedic stories that proclaim God’s deep love for us. She’s a member of American Christian Fiction Writers and an avid blogger. In her spare time, Joy loves to sing (especially Disney songs), drink large quantities of coffee, and take flowery photos for Bookstagram. When Joy isn’t fighting with fictional people, she’s hanging out with her husband and their adorable little girls. Connect with Joy via www.vjoypalmer.com!

Connect with Joy on her website, personal blog, devotional blog, Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Pinterest, Goodreads, and Amazon Author Page!

Any questions? Check out my Disclosures and Policies Page!

Review of All That It Takes by Nicole Deese

 

About the Book ~

When the ever-cautious Val Locklier moves cross-country with her son for a secure job, everything she'd planned unravels within the first week. After Val reluctantly agrees to rent an apartment from her best friend's brother, an unexpected chance at an elite filmmakers' mentorship ignites fresh hope for a dream career. But as Val's community begins to expand, so do her insecurities, especially those heightened by her growing attraction to a certain friendly landlord. 

Pastor Miles McKenzie returns home from a short-term mission trip to discover that not only does he have an intriguing new tenant living upstairs, he's also been reassigned to a local ministry on life support. Disillusioned and restless, he distracts himself by throwing his energy into a host of new projects--not the least of which is pursuing Val--without stopping to consider the future. 

As Val struggles to stop hiding behind the camera and Miles wrestles with shattered expectations, they'll find that authentic love and sacrifice must go hand in hand.

For more information about Nicole Deese and her books, check out her website here!

My Thoughts ~

From cover to cover, All That It Takes by Nicole Deese is a gorgeous story!

All That It Takes was the beautiful completion of a story that was merely hinted at in the author’s previous novel — and oh, was Miles and Val’s romance worth every second of the wait! Additionally, I really enjoyed getting to see previous characters in a way that didn’t overshadow Miles and Val’s journey. I loved the documentary angle, but the main setting of All That It Takes gripped my heart from the moment that Miles and Val stepped foot into the dilapidated and depleted facility. The voices, emotion, and realistic portrayal of single motherhood had me crying more than once as I cuddled my own newborn. There was a beautiful simplicity to All That It Takes, and it added a dash of everyday magic that I absolutely adored!

I loved how Val navigated her story within the stories of others via her documentary! I loved the way this showed how our stories are each unique despite any similarities and hold value, while also showing how sometimes all that it takes (wink, wink) to change someone’s story is for someone else to be vulnerable with theirs. I also really loved how the author didn't shy away from portraying someone in leadership who messed up and then had to face the natural consequences for that — including how that affected other people, like Miles. This deftly transitioned to Miles’ own issues, reaching a level of reality that packed a spiritual wallop!

Five Stars ~ All That It Takes by Nicole Deese is a beautiful yet equally powerful romance! All That It Takes can be read as a standalone, but there are some characters from the author's previous book, All That Really Matters, who appear in All That It Takes.

Disclaimer ~ In accordance with FTC regulations, I received a copy of this book from the publisher. I was not compensated, nor was a positive review required. All opinions expressed are my own.

See you next time, and God bless you guys!!!

Hugs!

~V. Joy Palmer

V. Joy Palmer loves to write romantic and comedic stories that proclaim God’s deep love for us. She’s a member of American Christian Fiction Writers and an avid blogger. In her spare time, Joy loves to sing (especially Disney songs), drink large quantities of coffee, and take flowery photos for Bookstagram. When Joy isn’t fighting with fictional people, she’s hanging out with her husband and their adorable little girl. Connect with Joy via www.vjoypalmer.com!

Connect with Joy on her website, personal blog, devotional blog, Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Pinterest, Goodreads, and Amazon Author Page!

Any questions? Check out my Disclosures and Policies Page!

Review of All That Really Matters by Nicole Deese

 

About the Book ~

Molly McKenzie's bright personality and on-trend fashion and beauty advice have made her a major social media influencer. When her manager-turned-boyfriend tells her of an upcoming audition to host a makeover show for America's underprivileged youth, all her dreams finally seem to be coming true. There's just one catch: she has little experience interacting with people in need.

To gain an edge on her competitors, she plans to volunteer for the summer at a transitional program for aged-out foster kids, but the program's director, Silas Whittaker, doesn't find her as charming as her followers do. Despite his ridiculous rules and terms, Molly dives into mentoring, surprising herself with the genuine connections and concern she quickly develops for the girls--and Silas. But just as everything seems perfectly aligned for her professional future, it starts to crumble under the pressure. And as her once-narrow focus opens to the deep needs of those she's come to know, she must face the ones she's neglected inside herself for so long.

For more information about Nicole Deese and her books, check out her website here!

My Thoughts ~

All that really matters is whether or not All That Really Matters by Nicole Deese is on your immediate TBR. Why? Because if it's not, it NEEDS to be!

All That Really Matters included so many of my favorite things to find in a story! Romance, humor, a little bickering, first person narrative, second chances, God, and miracles. However, one of the most gripping characters featured in All That Really Matters is the beast we call social media! The ugly and fake life of social media was displayed in its train wreck glory, yet the beautiful and life-changing ways social media can transform an individual was still the star of the story. Also, the absolute need for balance and boundaries was shown in a way that wasn't preachy or aggressive, instead portrayed in a relatable story that so many of us are living.

Molly and Silas were absolutely wonderful -- as a couple AND as individual characters! I loved the way their relationship progressed from bickering to admiration to love. However, I especially loved the way their stories -- both personally and romantically -- portrayed such a beautiful message of hope, joy, and second chances. Theirs was and will always be a romance that sings of the heart of God!

Five Stars ~ All That Really Matters by Nicole Deese is a lovely romance filled with second chances and miracles! All That Really Matters is a standalone, and I'm looking forward to reading the author's next standalone, featuring characters introduced in All That Really Matters!

Disclaimer ~ In accordance with FTC regulations, I received a copy of this book from the publisher. I was not compensated, nor was a positive review required. All opinions expressed are my own.

See you next time, and God bless you guys!!!

Hugs!

~V. Joy Palmer

V. Joy Palmer loves to write romantic and comedic stories that proclaim God’s deep love for us. She’s a member of American Christian Fiction Writers and an avid blogger. In her spare time, Joy loves to sing (especially Disney songs), drink large quantities of coffee, and take flowery photos for Bookstagram. When Joy isn’t fighting with fictional people, she’s hanging out with her husband and their adorable little girl. Connect with Joy via www.vjoypalmer.com!

Connect with Joy on her website, personal blog, devotional blog, Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Pinterest, Goodreads, and Amazon Author Page!

Any questions? Check out my Disclosures and Policies Page!

Review of The Kissing Tree Novella Collection

About the Book ~

In this Texas-sized romance novella collection, courting couples, decades apart, leave a permanent mark of their love by carving their initials into the same oak's bark.  

Regina Jennings - "Broken Limbs, Mended Hearts"

When a young man from her past returns and upends their small town with a new invention, schoolteacher Bella Eden is reminded of the heartbreak she suffered years ago under the old oak tree. When her job is put on the line, can she trust the man who disrupted her life to help her fight for a brighter future?

Karen Witemeyer - "Inn for a Surprise"

Determined to keep love alive for others, Phoebe Woodward builds an inn that caters to couples. When her father sends a property manager to help make it a success, she finds her whimsical vision thwarted by his stodgy practicality. Finding the right blend of romance and reality is a challenge, and her spinster heart may be in for a surprise. 

Amanda Dykes - "From Roots to Sky"

WWII airman Luke Hampstead found comfort in letters from the sister of a lost compatriot. When he visits Texas to thank her, he discovers her constructing a project with surprising ties to his letters . . . and that she herself is even more surprising. While a promising opportunity awaits him elsewhere, will what they've shared be enough to give their future flight?

Nicole Deese - "Heartwood"

Abby Brookshire's world is turned upside down when the historic tree she's strived to preserve as the head groundskeeper at the Kissing Tree Inn is put in danger of removal. Making matters worse, the only way to protect its legacy is to partner with the man she's been ignoring since he left town years ago. Will she have the courage to move on from the past and start a new beginning?

For more information about the authors -- Regina Jennings, Karen Witemeyer, Amanda Dykes,  Nicole Deese -- and their books, check out their websites by clicking their name!

My Thoughts ~ 

The Kissing Tree is everything I love in a novella collection! Each story is pure loveliness!

I adore when each novella continues to build on the previous stories in the collection! As we follow these four sweet stories, readers get to stay connected to the continuous generations of Oak Springs and the characters who are destined to capture many hearts! However, the detail that truly sets this novella collection apart is the Kissing Tree itself! From origin story to the bittersweet end, readers get to be part of the Kissing Tree's life in each of these beautifully crafted moments through the decades! 

Regina Jennings - "Broken Limbs, Mended Hearts"

"Broken Limns, Mended Hearts" was a wonderful story to brand the romantic oak tree of Oak Springs as THE Kissing Tree! I also really enjoyed the way new technology with respect for the past was melded into the fabric of the couple's conflict! 

Karen Witemeyer - "Inn for a Surprise"

"Inn for a Surprise" was so much fun! We join the story as the newly-built Kissing Tree Inn is being prepared for its first guests. I adored the witty banter between the couple and learning of the different couples who found their way to the Kissing Tree, thus inspiring the creation of the Kissing Tree Inn!

Amanda Dykes - "From Roots to Sky"

"From Roots to Sky" is tale with as much perseverance as there is romance! We rejoin Oak Springs and the Kissing Tree after hard financial times, war, and grief have reached their unapologetic hands into the community. I loved the way the community worked together and the poetic way the couple found both their roots and their wings in life!

Nicole Deese - "Heartwood"

"Heartwood" is the perfect balance of bittersweet, second chances, and new beginnings to close out this novella collection! The apt portrayal of how grief can affect even the sturdiest of relationships hit me in the feels! I adored the chemistry between the couple as they found their second chance at a new beginning! However, the beautiful message of how letting go -- symbolically and literally -- can never remove the legacy carved into our heartwood is what makes this conclusion so perfect!

Five Stars ~ The Kissing Tree is one of my favorite novella collections to date! Additionally, each of the authors has a plethora of novels in their respective backlists!

Disclaimer ~ In accordance with FTC regulations, I received a copy of this book from the publisher. I was not compensated, nor was a positive review required. All opinions expressed are my own.

See you next time, and God bless you guys!!!

Hugs!

~V. Joy Palmer

V. Joy Palmer loves to write romantic and comedic stories that proclaim God’s deep love for us. She’s a member of American Christian Fiction Writers and an avid blogger. In her spare time, Joy loves to sing (especially Disney songs), drink large quantities of coffee, and take flowery photos for Bookstagram. When Joy isn’t fighting with fictional people, she’s hanging out with her husband and their adorable little girl. Connect with Joy via www.vjoypalmer.com!

Connect with Joy on her website, personal blog, devotional blog, Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Pinterest, Goodreads, and Amazon Author Page!

Any questions? Check out my Disclosures and Policies Page!

Review of Before I Called You Mine by Nicole Deese

About the Book ~

Lauren Bailey may be a romantic at heart, but after a decade of matchmaking schemes gone wrong, there's only one match she's committed to now -- the one that will make her a mother. Lauren is a dedicated first-grade teacher in Idaho, and her love for children has led her to the path of international adoption. To satisfy her adoption agency's requirements, she gladly agreed to remain single for the foreseeable future; however, just as her long wait comes to an end, Lauren is blindsided by a complication she never saw coming: Joshua Avery.

Joshua may be a substitute teacher by day, but Lauren finds his passion for creating educational technology as fascinating as his antics in the classroom. Though she does her best to downplay the undeniable connection between them, his relentless pursuit of her heart puts her commitment to stay unattached to the test and causes her once-firm conviction to waver.

With an impossible decision looming, Lauren might very well find herself choosing between the two deepest desires of her heart...even if saying yes to one means letting go of the other.

For more information about Nicole Deese and her books, check out her website here!

My Thoughts ~

Before I Called You Mine by Nicole Deese is a tale of sacrificial love that will break your heart and mend it all at once! I recommend keeping a huggable pillow nearby for this one!

I love the "journey" readers get to experience in Before I Called You Mine! From the shenanigans of a first grade classroom to a magical Christmas festival to an amazing adoption in China, the pace of this sweet story keeps readers on their toes. What an endearing journey filled with laughter and love!

I loved the characters the author so wonderfully crafted in this sweet story!  I loved the hero for a lot of reasons! His love of dinosaurs. His wit and charm. His steadfast and sacrificial love. And because he was a man... Okay, that sounded weird. What I mean is that I loved how he pursued Lauren, backed off when needed, and wasn't afraid to tell her how he felt without any games or agenda. I found those things to be incredibly -- for the lack of a better explanation -- manly. All the heart eyes! I absolutely adored Joshua Avery as a bookish hero!

And I could never forget Lauren Bailey! The heroine of Before I Called You Mine won my bookish friendship for life! Like so many of us -- if not all of us! -- she wrestles with God's timing, calling, and plan for her life. Her call to adoption and sacrificial love is not an easy journey. Additionally, it's also a probing look at what sacrificial love really means in each of her relationships -- friends, family, and romantic. While the either/or impasse Lauren has to face is a little dramatized for the sake of the story, this also allows Joshua to step up again (Once again, I love this hero!)! The steadfast willingness to wait but also to wait for God's amazing and perfect timing is another beautiful message to be found among the pages of Before I Called You Mine! As we see in Lauren's journey, it's a bittersweet truth to accept, but it's worth it. It's worth every second of it.

Five Stars ~ Before I Called You Mine by Nicole Deese is a beautiful story of sacrificial love! Before I Called You Mine is a standalone, but the author has other books her in backlist for readers to enjoy.

Disclaimer ~ In accordance with FTC regulations, I received a copy of this book from the publisher. I was not compensated, nor was a positive review required. All opinions expressed are my own.

See you next time, and God bless you guys!!!

Hugs!

~V. Joy Palmer

V. Joy Palmer loves to write romantic and comedic stories that proclaim God’s deep love for us. She’s a member of American Christian Fiction Writers and an avid blogger. In her spare time, Joy loves to sing (especially Disney songs), drink large quantities of coffee, and take flowery photos for Bookstagram. When Joy isn’t fighting with fictional people, she’s hanging out with her husband and their adorable little girl. Connect with Joy via www.vjoypalmer.com!

Connect with Joy on her website, personal blog, devotional blog, Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Pinterest, Goodreads, and Amazon Author Page!

Any questions? Check out my Disclosures and Policies Page!