V. Joy Palmer: July 2022

Thursday, July 14, 2022

Review of Where the Road Bends by Rachel Fordham

About the Book ~

The strongest love is formed in the crucible of hardship.

As Norah King surveys her family land in Iowa in 1880, she is acutely aware that it is all she has left, and she will do everything in her power to save it--even if that means marrying a man she hardly knows. Days before her wedding, Norah discovers an injured man on her property. Her sense of duty compels her to take him in and nurse him back to health. Little does she realize just how much this act of kindness will complicate her life and threaten the future she's planned.

Norah's care does more than aid Quincy Barnes's recovery--it awakens his heart to possibilities. Penniless and homeless, he knows the most honorable thing he can do is head on down the road and leave Norah to marry her intended. But walking away from the first person to believe in him proves much harder than he imagined.

For more information about Rachel Fordham and her books, check out her website here!

My Thoughts ~

If you're looking for a book that's the embodiment of a Hallmark romance meets a western, then Where the Road Bends by Rachel Fordham should be added to you TBR pile!

Where the Road Bends was a sweet story! I could see the author's nod to the influence that Les Misérables played in inspiring the overall plot, but it was still its own unique tale. While not soulmate characters for me, I enjoyed the loyalty, love, and humor found in Norah and Quincy. I especially loved the way the author incorporated Jane Austen's Persuasion into their romance! I also enjoyed the references from the author's previous stories.

Norah and Quincy go on quite the spiritual journey in Where the Road Bends! Decisions and consequences propel both characters into highs and lows where they must fight for honor, freedom, peace, and -- at times -- their very lives. I liked watching Quincy become a man of honor who continued to display true, transformative repentance while also working to set others free. My heart ached for Norah, for the betrayal and trauma she'd experienced. However, my heart was warmed by the soul-healing love she experienced!

Three Stars ~ Where the Road Bends by Rachel Fordham is a sweet, romantic western! Where the Road Bends is a standalone novel, but the author has other books in her 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!

Monday, July 11, 2022

Review of Sunburst by Susan May Warren

About the Book ~

When former Navy SEAL and lifelong bachelor Ranger Kingston is called upon to take part in a rescue mission to save his brother Colt from terrorists in Nigeria, he is shocked to find among the hostages a woman he could never forget.

Noemi Sutton was attempting to return a young girl to her family in Boko Haram territory when she and the girl found themselves taken hostage, along with several others. And while Ranger Kingston may be able to get the hostages away from their captors, he'll need Noemi's help if he ever hopes to get out of Nigeria alive.

Her solution? Pose as husband and wife. But when her uncle discovers the union, he insists on a traditional Nigerian wedding--which would bind Noemi to a man destined to break her heart. Worse, the trouble they're fleeing has found them--again. It's clear anyone around Noemi is bound to be caught in the crossfire. Including her potential new husband.

She'll need to figure out a way to leave the man she loves if she wants to save his life.

For more information about Susan May Warren and her books, check out her website here!

My Thoughts ~

Sunburst by Susan May Warren is the type of riveting, intriguing, on-the-run romantic adventure that I love to read!

No one knows how to write an insta-love romance that's not only believable but also compelling quite like Susan May Warren! Seriously, the author has this trope down to a science, and Sunburst's romance blazed with the chemistry between Noemi and Ranger. Additionally, I really enjoyed how the author added in the fake marriage trope on top of that, and the traditional Nigerian wedding was fascinating! However, there was some messaging that could be potentially triggering to readers who've experienced betrayal trauma. The pacing was excellent! You couldn't get comfortable for long because the stakes kept rising, keeping me on the edge of my seat.

The spiritual messages contained in Sunburst were heart-wrenchingly beautiful! Ranger struggled with a perfectionist mindset dominating his sense of duty, while Noemi struggled with abandonment and doubting that God even noticed her. At the heart of it, their struggles boiled down to the same root: are you worthy, are you even enough, for God to love you? To rescue you? To have a good and perfect plan for your future? Spoiler alert: YES! Ranger and Noemi's journey illustrates this truth quite wonderfully!

Four Stars ~ Sunburst by Susan May Warren was a thrilling, romantic adventure! Sunburst is the second book in the author's Sky King Ranch series. While the overarching mystery will make more sense if the series is read in order, I didn't feel lost reading the series out of order. I'm looking forward to reading the rest of the series!