AUDIOBOOK REVIEW - Witness Protection

Title:  Witness Protection

Author:  Robert Whitlow

Publisher:  Thomas Nelson

Genre:   Legal Thriller

Format:  Kindle ARC and Audiobook ALC

Length:  12 hrs 33 mins

Narrator:  Jason Keller

No. of Pages:   464

Date of Publication:   April 7, 2026

My Rating:   3 Stars

DESCRIPTION:

In seeking to help an employee charged with drug smuggling, a man in the federal witness protection program is drawn back into the criminal world he thought he'd left behind.

While in his early twenties, Jason Favreau went to work in the accounting department for a company he thought was in the import/export business. He was partly right. It was a front company for a cartel smuggling drugs into the US. Once he becomes aware of the illegal operation, he doesn't quit--he's making a lot of money and participates at various levels. When the cartel is raided, Jason is arrested and agrees to testify for the government. In return, Jason is ultimately placed in the Witness Protection Program, relocated to southeast Georgia, and given the name Jon Tremaine. He goes to work for a large commercial tree farm, and after eighteen years he is the manager of the operation. One of his employees, Pablo Mendez, has a side hustle importing exotic chocolate from his home village in Mexico for sale to high-end restaurants. But when one of his pallets of chocolate is seized at the port of Brunswick, drugs are found, and Pablo is arrested.

Jon helps Pablo hire Kelli Jackson, a former US Attorney in Atlanta who has moved to Brunswick with her two children after a divorce from her unfaithful husband. Kelli takes a job with a law school friend who has a growing practice in Brunswick. Based on her prior criminal law experience, Kelli agrees to represent Pablo. As the case is investigated, it becomes clear to Jon that the drug gang operates much like the group he was part of in Louisiana and Texas. Pablo agrees to cooperate with the government in return for dismissal of charges that will otherwise certainly result in a conviction and separate him from his young family for decades.

Life as a defense lawyer is much different from that of a US Attorney, and Kelli struggles to keep up. But as Pablo's case heats up, so do the dangers for all involved. It will take a great deal of courage and legal knowledge to protect Pablo and bring the criminals to justice.

Link to purchase the book

MY THOUGHTS:

Kelli Jackson struggling as a single mother to two children. Currently staying with her aunt Carli for now, Kelli owes her best to help those least fortunate. Her new job connects her with a friend from law school, Jon Favreau, whose career had been sidelined. Now they are both working hard together to help a man named Pablo, who has somehow become involved in a widespread drug smuggling operation. Pablo works for Jon at a commercial tree farm, and claims his innocence. Can Jon and Kelli help Pablo, especially now that he has become a government informant?

This is no easy case for Kelli to have taken on, especially as the intensity ratchets up, almost to the point of burying Pablo. Yet her determination to find justice for Pablo prevails. While her working with Jon doesn’t necessarily make her job any easier, the pair indeed make a fine team.

I had Witness Protection as an audiobook and I admit that I struggled with the story throughout. Both the concept and conflict were good, but the delivery simply did not connect with me. Perhaps it was the narration that kept taking me out of the story - whether it was due to the bland narration or the delivery of the female voice. Then there were the constant scriptural references, yet I stayed with it as I was hoping for a satisfying conclusion, and for that, Robert Whitlow did deliver.

Many thanks to Thomas Nelson and to NetGalley for this ARC for review. This is my honest opinion.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Robert Whitlow is the best-selling author of legal novels set in the South and winner of the prestigious Christy Award for Contemporary Fiction. A Furman University graduate, Whitlow received his J.D. with honors from the University of Georgia School of Law where he served on the staff of the Georgia Law Review. A practicing attorney, Whitlow and his wife, Kathy, have four children. They make their home in North Carolina.

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AUDIOBOOK REVIEW - When Justice Comes

Title:  When Justice Comes

Authors:  Colleen Coble; Rick Acker

Publisher:   Thomas Nelson

Genre:   Christian Romantic Suspense 

Series:   Tupelo Grove #3

Format:   Audiobook ALC 

   and Kindle ARC

Narrator:  Karen Peakes

Length:  10 hrs 36 mins

No. of pages:    379
Date of Publication:  March 3, 2026

Rating:   5 Stars

DESCRIPTION:

USA TODAY bestselling romantic suspense author Colleen Coble and Rick Acker deliver the final book in their beloved Tupelo Grove Hez and Savannah Webster have survived storms that would bury others without a love as strong as theirs--but can they withstand the final battle in the deadly Legare-Willard feud that threatens to sweep away everything they've fought for?

Hezekiah "Hez" Webster and his fiancé, Savannah, stand on the brink of a new life, but their dreams are haunted by specters of the past. Just as they're getting ready to adopt her nephew, two other petitioners also file for custody--both of whom only want Simon for their own gains.

Between the financial company that Hez outmaneuvered to save the university from ruin and the bad blood from the head of the Willard family, it's hard to say who wants them out of the way more. Hez and Savannah's quest for justice leads them through a labyrinth of family law, where loyalties are tested and trust is a dangerous luxury when every decision could be their last.

With the clock ticking, Hez and Savannah must confront the ghosts of their past and their deepest fears to secure a future for Simon. But with every secret revealed, the stakes grow higher. Can they build the family they've always dreamed of, or will their enemies succeed in tearing them apart forever?

The Tupelo Grove series reaches its breathtaking conclusion as an enemy's agenda for revenge runs darker than swamp water and justice remains as precarious as quicksand in this heart-pounding narrative that underscores the power of redemption and forgiveness.

Link to shop the series

MY THOUGHTS:

When Justice Comes by Colleen Coble and Rick Acker brings their riveting trilogy to a powerful conclusion. In this final installment, Hez and Savannah are engaged and preparing to remarry after the painful issues that led to their divorce. At the same time, they’re hoping to adopt Savannah’s nephew, Simon. This should all bring a fresh start for their rebuilt family.

But nothing comes easily. Their plans are threatened when they discover they aren’t the only ones seeking custody. Shockingly, the competing petitioners are members of a crime family. While they have managed to avoid prosecution for their wrongdoing, Hez and Savannah know exactly what these individuals are capable of, and they are determined to keep Simon safe.

The battle for custody proves far more complicated than they anticipated. Hez is still recovering from critical surgery, and the strain of the legal fight only adds to the pressure. To make matters worse, other relatives who should have Simon’s best interests at heart seem driven by motives of their own.

Hez and Savannah have fought hard to find their way back to each other, and everything they’ve rebuilt feels precariously close to unraveling. The story is intense and layered with drama, yet it also carries a sharp emotional edge that grounds the suspense in something deeply personal.

I’ve truly enjoyed spending time with Hez and Savannah throughout this series, watching them navigate faith, forgiveness, and second chances. Because of their complicated history and the ongoing storylines, this trilogy is best read in order for the full emotional impact.

Many thanks to Thomas Nelson and to NetGalley for this ARC for review  this is my honest opinion.  

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Best-selling romantic suspense author Colleen Coble’s novels have won or finaled in awards ranging from the Best Books of Indiana, the ACFW Carol Award, the Romance Writers of America RITA, the Holt Medallion, the Daphne du Maurier, National Readers’ Choice, and the Booksellers Best. She has nearly 4 million books in print and writes romantic mysteries because she loves to see justice prevail. Colleen is CEO of American Christian Fiction Writers. She lives with her husband Dave in Indiana. Visit her website at www.colleencoble.com.

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Rick Acker writes high-octane suspense novels during breaks from his “real job” as a Supervising Deputy Attorney General in the California Department of Justice, which provides inspiration for his acclaimed legal thrillers. 

Rick has also teamed with award-winning romantic suspense author Colleen Coble to pen bestsellers such as I Think I Was Murdered and their Tupelo Grove series. Library Journal praises their “dynamic author partnership,” and predicts they “will continue to produce hits.” 

When Rick isn't writing or lawyering, you can usually find him with his wife Anette exploring in the hills east of San Francisco, watching a good movie together, or, of course, reading. You can visit him on the web at www.rickacker.com.

BLOG TOUR - The Sisters of Sea View

 

DESCRIPTION:

Some guests have come for a holiday, others for hidden reasons of their own . . .

When their father's death leaves them impoverished, Sarah Summers and her genteel sisters fear they will be forced to sell the house and separate to earn livelihoods as governesses or companions. Determined to stay together, Sarah convinces them to open their seaside home to guests to make ends meet and provide for their ailing mother. Instead of the elderly invalids they expect to receive, however, they find themselves hosting eligible gentlemen. Sarah is soon torn between a growing attraction to a mysterious Scottish widower and duty to her family.

Viola Summers wears a veil to cover her scar. When forced to choose between helping in her family's new guest house and earning money to hire a maid to do her share, she chooses the latter. She reluctantly agrees to read to some of Sidmouth's many invalids, preferring the company of a few elders with failing eyesight to the fashionable guests staying in their home. But when her first client turns out to be a wounded officer in his thirties, Viola soon wishes she had chosen differently. Her new situation exposes her scars--both visible and those hidden deep within--and her cloistered heart will never be the same.

Join the Summers sisters on the Devonshire coast, where they discover the power of friendship, loyalty, love, and new beginnings.

 
VIDEO INTRODUCTION TO THE SISTERS OF SEA VIEW BY JULIE KLASSEN

https://youtu.be/EZDjSuBtFEU

 

EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW WITH AUTHOR JULIE KLASSEN

https://austenprose.com/2022/11/09/an-exclusive-interview-with-julie-klassen-author-of-the-sisters-of-sea-view/

 

ADVANCE PRAISE

• “Jane Austen fans will delight in this nimble series launch…Klassen excels at weaving her various story lines, each emphasizing the colorful qualities of her characters and allowing them the space to shine. Readers will be eager for the next installment.” —Publisher’s Weekly (starred review)

 

PRAISE FOR THE NOVELS OF JULIE KLASSEN 

• “Julie Klassen delights with a winsome love story…” —Publisher’s Weekly, on A Castaway in Cornwall

• “I couldn’t put it down! It you are a historical fiction fan you need this one on your radar! It was a spooky delight full of heart. ”—Anne Mendez, The Lit Bitch, on Shadows of Swanford Abbey

• “…a wonderfully engaging novel full of intriguing characters and storylines. I highly recommend it and can’t wait for more in the series.” —Laura Gerold, Laura’s Reviews, on The Innkeeper of Ivy Hill

 

PURCHASE LINKS

AMAZON | BARNES & NOBLE | BOOK DEPOSITORY | BOOKSHOP | GOODREADS

MY THOUGHTS:

 

Title:   The Sisters of Sea View

Author:   Julie Klassen

Series:   On Devonshire Shores #1
Publisher:   Bethany House Publishers

Genre:   Christian  Fiction 

Format:  Kindle ARC 

No. of Pages:   448

Date of Publication:   December 6, 2022

My Rating:    5 Stars 

The Summers sisters make the difficult decision to open their home for paying guests due to financial difficulties since the lost of their father. Besides their financial woes, their mother is suffering from ill health. Three of the sisters are fully on board, and they are Sarah, Emily and Georgiana. Their fourth sister, Viola, is not happy about this decision, so she strives to find her own way. Thus, she takes on the job of reading to different individuals. 

Any time Viola left the house, or even at home once their new boarding house was set in place, she always wore a veil. The reason for this was that Viola was born with a cleft lip and even after surgeries to correct the condition, she was not comfortable with the scarring she has. One of the people that Viola begins to read for is another scarred individual. He is Major Jack Hutton and he is currently recovering from injuries he received in the war. As his vision has been compromised, Viola has been hired to read to him. Although Viola is now not the only one with scars in her new situation as Jack’s scars are visible as well, she continues to wear her veil.

Each of the Summers sisters have their own story. I loved getting to know each of them in this first book in a new series. While four of them always are together, there is a fifth sister, and she is estranged from the family. I look forward to future books in the series where we can learn more about these sisters and how they work together to give their lives true meaning.

I connected with this story because I also come from a family with five girls and the dynamic between the sisters was realistically portrayed in this book by Julie Klassen. One final note. During the time this book was set in, which was the early 1800s, things that we know about now were not understood back then, and that included Viola being born with a cleft lip and the superstitions that surrounded that condition. But then there was also their mother, as she suffered from what we know as depression and possibly more, but back then it was simply called something along the lines of melancholy. It was wonderful to see both of these issues dealt with in a very respectful manner. Not only do I highly recommend this book, but I am eager to read successive books in this series. 

Many thanks to Bethany House Publishers, Austenprose PR and to NetGalley for this ARC for review. This is my honest opinion.

Please enjoy my YouTube video review - 

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Julie Klassen loves all things Jane—Jane Eyre and Jane Austen. Her books have sold over a million copies, and she is a three-time recipient of the Christy Award for Historical Romance. The Secret of Pembrooke Park was honored with the Minnesota Book Award for Genre Fiction. Julie has also won the Midwest Book Award and Christian Retailing’s BEST Award and has been a finalist in the RITA and Carol Awards. A graduate of the University of Illinois, Julie worked in publishing for sixteen years and now writes full time. She and her husband have two sons and live in a suburb of St. Paul, Minnesota.

 

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BLOG TOUR - Midnight’s Budding Morrow

Title:   Midnight's Budding Morrow

Author:  Carolyn Miller

Series:  Regency Wallflowers #2
Publisher:  Kregel Publications

Genre:   Historical Romance

Format:  Kindle ARC

No. of Pages:   312

Date of Publication:   May 31, 2022

My Rating:   4 Stars

 DESCRIPTION:

Can real love grow between a wallflower and an unrepentant rogue?

Sarah Drayton is eager to spend time with her best friend at her crumbling Northumberland castle estate. Matrimony is the last thing on her mind and the last thing she expects to be faced with on a holiday. Yet she finds herself being inveigled into a marriage of convenience with her friend's rakish brother.

When James Langley returns to his family's estate, he can't be bothered to pay attention to his responsibilities as the heir. War is raging and he wants only distraction, not serious tethers. But his roguish ways have backed him into a corner, and he has little choice but to obey his father's stunning decree: marry before returning to war, or else. Suddenly he finds himself wedded to a clever and capable woman he does not love.

Sarah craves love and a place to belong, neither of which James offered before returning to the battlefront. Now everyone around her thinks she married above her station, and they have no intention of rewarding her for such impertinence. It isn't until her husband returns from war seemingly changed that she begins to hope they may find real happiness. But can she trust that this rake has truly reformed?

When tragedy strikes, this pair must learn to trust God and his plans. Will they be destroyed . . . or will they discover that even in the darkest depths of night, the morning still holds hope?

Click here to read an excerpt.

ABOUT THE SERIES:

While most stories set in Regency England focus on the rich, the young, and the beautiful, award-winning author Carolyn Miller decided she wanted to give readers something different for a change. Her new Regency Wallflowers series follows the commoners, away from the hustle and bustle of 1810s London, out in the Lake District of England. She tells the stories of women who are slightly older and have few prospects for marriage, women who might be considered “wallflowers.”

Midnight’s Budding Morrow is the second book in the Regency Wallflowers series. The first book in the series is Dusk’s Darkest Shores.

Link to purchase the book

MY THOUGHTS:

 

Sarah has mixed feelings when she agrees to spend a holiday at her friend's estate. Her friend's brother James Langley left a very bad impression on Sarah when he approaches her at a ball and plants a drunken sloppy kiss on her. This gives Sarah pause when it comes to considering her friend's invitation. However, James is in the army and should not be at the estate. 

James has been a very heavy drinker, and this sensitive and inspirational story gives the reader insight to his past to see why his roguish behavior is so strong. However, as this book is one of redemption, hope and love, slowly James becomes a changed man. However, while James is going through his positive changes, Sarah experiences grief on a visceral level, so this story also deals with depression due to loss.

This story showed how grief morphed into deep binds of affection between Sarah and James. What a delightful story that truly connected me to the characters. Their growth was enjoyable to read and I love how they slowly learned to trust and love one another.

Many thanks to Kregel Publications for this ARC for review. This is my honest opinion.

Giveaway!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Please also enjoy my video book review - 

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Carolyn Miller is an inspirational romance author who lives in the beautiful Southern Highlands of New South Wales, Australia, with her husband and four children.

 

A longtime lover of romance, especially that of Jane Austen and Georgette Heyer’s Regency era, Carolyn holds a BA in English literature and loves drawing readers into fictional worlds that show the truth of God’s grace in our lives. She enjoys music, films, gardens, art, travel, and food.

Miller’s novels have won a number of RWA and ACFW contests. She is a member of American Christian Fiction Writers and Australasian Christian Writers. 

 

Learn more about Carolyn at www.carolynmillerauthor.com, or find her on Facebook (Carolyn Miller Author), Instagram (@CarolynMillerAuthor), and Twitter (@CarolynMAuthor). 

BLOG TOUR - A Lady in Attendance

A Lady in Attendance by Rachel Fordham

Publication Date: June 1, 2021

Revell

Genre: Historical Fiction/Christian/Romance

Five years in a New York state reformatory have left a blemish on Hazel's real name. So when she takes a job as Doctor Gilbert Watts's lady in attendance in 1898, she does so under an alias. In the presence of her quiet and pious employer, Hazel finds more than an income. She finds a friend and a hope that if she can set her tarnished past in order, she might have a future after all.

As Gilbert becomes accustomed to the pleasant chatter of his new dental assistant, he can't help but sense something secretive about her. Perhaps there is more to this woman than meets the eye. Can the questions that loom between them ever be answered? Or will the deeds of days gone by forever rob the future of its possibilities?

Rachel Fordham pens a tender tale of a soft-spoken man, a hardened woman, and the friends that stand by them as they work toward a common purpose--to expunge the record of someone society deemed beyond saving--and perhaps find love along the way.

"A Lady in Attendance draws you in from the first page and leaves you captivated until the oh-so-romantic conclusion. A poignant and beautifully written story of faith, forgiveness, and the healing power of love."--Mimi Matthews, USA Today bestselling author

Amazon | Barnes and Noble | Books-a-Million

My Thoughts:

4 Stars

A blemished past leaved Hazel with very few options. She takes on the job as a lady in attendance to Dr. Gilbert Watts under an assumed name. She must carve a future for herself, even if it means living the life of a lie. Can Hazel put her past behind her and become a better woman? Even more so, will she ever get the chance to clear her name?

Gilbert has a very quiet demeanor. He enjoys working with his new assistant, even coming out of his shell, becoming a better man than he thought possible. He knows there is something off about Hazel, but getting to know her is something he finds impossible to resist, and even sensing things are amiss doesn't seem to affect their growing friendship. Perhaps it could become more?

Things had been going smoothly for Hazel and Gilbert, but a surprising meeting of someone else put everything the pair had been working on in jeopardy. Hazel has the best of intentions, even if her past might have eventually come to light. Gilbert's gentle and kind nature proves ever so critical.

I love how this story was based on friendship and trust. Friendship borne of time spent together in the most innocent of ways. Trust as Hazel's true nature proved her fine character. This friendship and trust belied any uncertainty, even if convention might have won out. This historical romance was just so sweet, so wonderful and so touching. Friendship paired with faith and kindness - and a bit of a mystery - was a wonderful thing to see in this story. Factor in humor and love and this all led to a warm and romantic ending. 

Many thanks to Rachel Fordham and HF Virtual Book Tours for this ARC for review. This is my honest opinion.

Blog Tour Schedule

Monday, October 11
Guest Post at Novels Alive

Tuesday, October 12
Review at Historical Fiction with Spirit

Wednesday, October 13
Excerpt at I'm Into Books

Thursday, October 14
Review at Library of Clean Reads
Review at Michelle the PA Loves to Read

Friday, October 15
Excerpt at What Is That Book About

Saturday, October 16
Review at Reading Is My SuperPower

Monday, October 18
Review at Novels Alive

Tuesday, October 19
Excerpt at Heidi Reads

Wednesday, October 20
Review at A Chick Who Reads
Excerpt at Books and Benches
Review at Robin Loves Reading

Thursday, October 21
Interview at The Book Club Network

Friday, October 22
Review at Ms. Darcy Reads

Monday, October 25
Review at Jorie Loves a Story

Tuesday, October 26
Excerpt at Reading is My Remedy

Wednesday, October 27
Guest Post at Chicks, Rogues, and Scandals

Thursday, October 28
Review at McCombs on Main

Friday, October 29
Excerpt at The Tea Queen

Monday, November 1
Review at Bookoholiccafe

Tuesday, November 2
Interview at Jorie Loves a Story
Excerpt at Lisa Everyday Reads

Wednesday, November 3
Excerpt at Bookworlder

Friday, November 5
Review at Passages to the Past

Giveaway

Enter to win a copy of A Lady in Attendance by Rachel Fordham!

The giveaway is open to the US only and ends on November 5th. You must be 18 or older to enter.

A Lady in Attendance

About the Author:

Rachel Fordham has long been fascinated by all things historical or in the words of her children “old stuff”. Often the historical trivia she discovers is woven into her children's bedtime tales. Despite her love for good stories she didn’t attempt writing a novel until her husband challenged her to do so (and now she’s so glad he did). Since that time she’s often been found typing or researching while her youngest child naps or frantically writing plot twists while she waits in the school pick-up line. In addition to her passion for storytelling she enjoys reading, being outdoors and seeing new places. Rachel lives with her husband and children on an island in Washington state.

Learn more about current projects at rachelfordham.com. You can also follow Rachel on Facebook, Instagram, BookBub, and Goodreads.

BLOG TOUR - Husband Auditions

How Far Would You Go to Find Love?

Angela Ruth Strong’s delightful new release is the perfect end-of-summer read

Grand Rapids, MI — How far would you go to find the perfect husband? All the way back to the 1950s? Those are the questions Meri Newberg finds herself asking in Husband Auditions (Kregel Publications/August 17, 2021/ISBN: 9780825447105/$15.99), the latest release from award-winning author Angela Ruth Strong.

For Meri, it seems the world is full of happily-ever-after love, or maybe it’s only because she’s just gotten home from the wedding of her now-former roommate. As of now, Meri is the only one left in her friend group who is still single, so she inherits “the list” from a 1950s magazine that has been passed from friend to friend. The list outlines “101 Ways to Get a Husband,” and out of desperation, Meri decides there’s nothing to lose and she might as well try some of them out. After all, she can’t get any more single than she already is, can she?

Her brother’s roommate, Kai Kamaka, knows a great opportunity when he sees it. He’s not interested in the love angle because he has no interest in the effort a serious relationship takes. Instead, Kai sees filming every one of Meri’s silly husband-catching attempts as the chance to get the cameraman job he has been wanting. In his mind, if the online show goes viral, his career is all but made.

When Meri Me debuts, it’s an instant hit. People love watching Meri lasso men on street corners, pretend to trip in front of unsuspecting potential beaus, and otherwise embarrass herself in pursuit of true love. But the longer this game goes on, the less sure Kai is that he wants Meri to snag anyone but him. The only problem is that he may not be the kind of husband material she’s looking for. Is he ready for a relationship? Will Meri see him for who he can be for her instead of who he seems to be at the moment, the unmotivated and lazy surfer who is stuck to the couch?

“When I was writing Husband Auditions, I had recently read a book about dysfunctional relationships, and it listed seven different heart issues. One of them was laziness, which is said to be the most frustrating for a woman to have to deal with, and it seems to be common in the younger generations,” shares Strong. “I wanted to explore the idea of a lazy but likable hero and what it would take for him to have to grow. I gave Meri the heart issue of fear because the fear of being alone could trap her in a relationship with a man who was just going to sponge off her. I believe many women choose bad love over no love at all, and I want to encourage them to invite their significant other into the light rather than join him in the dark.”

As far-fetched as the list that Meri inherited sounds, and as silly as the advice may seem, Strong was inspired by an actual magazine article that has floated around online in recent years. “The idea for Husband Auditions came from a real article, ‘129 Ways to Get a Husband,’ that was published in McCall’s magazine in the 1950s. Some of the suggestions were quite outlandish, such as standing on a street corner with a lasso, and I imagined what would happen if a modern-day woman tried them out,” the author explains. “When I created an original list for my book, I went to my reader group on Facebook for ideas. We had such a great time with all of them, and I can’t wait for my readers to see which of their ideas made it into the story.”

Some of the ideas that made the list include: 

• Move to a state with more men than women. We recommend Nevada.

• Make friends with beautiful women. They usually have a cast of unwanted suitors.

• Why stop with a hat, when you could carry a hatbox? Be both charming and intriguing.

• Only let him see you cry if he has the power to cheer you up. Otherwise, you’re wasting your tears.

• There’s nothing more romantic than a view. Ask a Ferris wheel operator to leave you at the top of the ride for longer than usual.

With droll comic timing, unbeatable chemistry, and a zany but relatable cast of characters, Strong has created a heartfelt look at the reality of modern Christian dating that readers will both resonate with and fall for.

My thoughts:

Ideas that might have worked in the '50s to catch a husband are nothing compared to what might work in our day and age. Meri is disenchanted when her friend Anne gets married and she realizes that she is the last single girl in her group of friends. Anne gives her something called "The List". As a dedicated Christian, Meri would have been happy to have been glancing at a translation of Proverbs Thirty One. Instead she is looking at a list from the 1950s magazine with ideas on how to catch a husband.

The ideas are outlandish and have the most peculiar suggestions - volunteer with shelter dogs, fake a flat tire, move to a state with more men than women. The list goes on. While Meri is discussing the merits of the list - or lack thereof - with her brother Charlie, his roommate Kai is listening. He thinks it is hilarious. This gives Kai a fabulous idea. Since Charlie happens to be going away on business, Meri is moving in with Kai and their other roommate for a while. Kai begins to develop an idea for his YouTube channel - with Meri and list as the perfect subjects. Kai has even thought of the perfect name - Meri Me.

Although Meri is not too happy with Kai about this, she agrees, and lets Kai film her in her unrelenting search for a husband. This becomes an instant hit. He knows he is not husband material, but hopefully someone out there is the perfect one for Meri. The more time Kai and Meri spend together, the more they realize the share the same faith. The same values. But it is enough for the two of them to soon realize that they are actually rather attracted to each other? Would it be enough for them to take a chance at love?

What a delightful read. This slow-burn romance was a nice mix of faith, friendship and humor. Husband Auditions was a nice, enjoyable story with a wonderful story that kept me smiling throughout. I most definitely recommend this story that will prove to provide a nice escape.

Many thanks to Audra Jennings PR and to NetGalley for this ARC for review. This is my honest opinion.

Advance Praise

“An irresistible hook, an unlikely (but perfect for each other) duo, and the winsome voice of author Angela Ruth Strong come together in Husband Auditions to form a sweet and funny love story readers will adore. Simultaneously an homage to and a lampoon of old-fashioned pursuits of matrimony, inspirational romance fans will gobble up this thoroughly modern tale. I was completely charmed from aloha to aloha.”

~ Bethany Turner, award-winning author of Plot Twist and The Secret Life of Sarah Hollenbeck

“Husband Auditions is as hilarious as it is charming! Angela Ruth Strong once again brings her unique voice and quirky sense of humor to create memorable, laugh-out-loud characters that subtly teach important lessons in love—and not so subtly linger in our minds long after the final page is devoured.”

~ Betsy St. Amant, author of The Key to Love

“Original and fun! Husband Auditions is a wonderful staycation of a book. Grab your latte and prepare to giggle.”

~ Kristin Billerbeck, author of Room at the Top

About the Author

Angela Ruth Strong sold her first Christian romance novel in 2009, then quit writing romance when her husband left her. Ten years later, God has shown her the true meaning of love, and there’s nothing else she’d rather write about. 

Strong’s books have since earned Top Pick honors in Romantic Times, won the Cascade Award, and been Amazon best sellers. Her book Finding Love in Big Sky recently filmed on location in Montana and will air soon. She also writes articles for SpiritLed Woman. 

To help aspiring authors, she started IDAhope Writers where she lives in Idaho, and she teaches as an expert online at Write That Book.

Besides writing, Strong teaches exercise classes, works for an airline, and enjoys Harley rides with her husband and camping with her three kids.
 

Learn more about Angela Strong at www.angelaruthstrong.com, or find her on Facebook (Angela Ruth Strong Fan Page), Instagram (@ang_strong), and Twitter (@AngelaRStrong).