Happy 2019! Wow, how did that happen?

Every year before Christmas, I have the best intentions to get all my shopping and wrapping done early so that I can kick back in front of the fireplace and finally make a dent in my To Be Read stack. And every year…

I fail.

Miserably.

Somehow, I get sucked into watching gobs of Hallmark movies. Was anybody else disappointed with this year’s offerings? I should have opted to read.

Maybe next year.

Anyway, I was super excited to get my hands on this gem right after Christmas.

Wowza, isn’t it gorgeous? And the story inside is just as appealing as the cover. Let’s get started!

Here’s the blurb:

She didn’t know which was colder, an Arctic winter or her new husband’s heart. (Whoa! Talk about a tease! Sandra could’ve left off the rest. I was hooked from the first sentence!)

Hallie Russell believes life should be lived to the fullest. For that reason, she sails to the gold rush town of Nome, Alaska to take her cousin’s place as the mail-order bride of a respected shopkeeper. But when her aloof husband’s wedding-night announcement rocks her plans for their marriage, Hallie sees her desire for a family to call her own vanish as quickly as the dreams of hopeful miners.

Tragedy led Rance Preston to regret his rowdy ways and open a general store for the miners in Nome. He’s content in his bachelorhood, but his two orphaned nephews deserve a proper and serious-minded mother. Duped once by a vivacious female, he’s determined to never again let his heart overrule his head…until the high spirits of his new bride threaten his resolve.

When a misunderstanding comes to light, will they allow the gale force winds of insecurity to destroy what they each need most?

My thoughts…

The hero’s angst in the first few lines drew me into this story immediately! Now a committed guardian of his two young nephews, Rance Preston waits on the beach for the mail order bride who would care for the youngsters while he manages the store. Romance isn’t part of his marriage agenda (You can read the book to find out why!) unlike the heroine who craves a proper family. The author did a fabulous job of showing the hero’s mixture of dread and acceptance and the heroine’s determination and grit to love her husband and his nephews before she steps a foot on shore in Nome, Alaska. Rance’s doubt almost cost them everything but considering his past experience, f found his reactions understandable. Besides, how could I not admire and respect him? He gave up much to care for these two boys and only wanted what was best for them. If I had lived during that time period, I would’ve wanted Hallie for a best friend. The setting on the pages came alive, and I got a real sense of the mixture of excitement and desperation of the gold panners.

Normally, I lose interest in historicals because of the voluminous page count but A Love Most Worthy was short enough to hold my interest, yet long enough to satisfy. The plot, combined with a natural faith element that weaved organically through the story, kept me turning pages. Overall, I’m thrilled that this particular book kicked off my reading this year!

A Love Most Worthy releases on February 5, but don’t wait! Pre-order your copy for only $.99 by clicking here, and this sweet gem will be waiting in your kindle inbox that Tuesday morning. It’s that easy. Happy reading!

What were some of your favorite reads in 2018?

Disclaimer: I received a copy of A Love Most Worthy from the author without any mention or expectation of a review. Other than the free copy of this ebook, I was not compensated, and this review represents my fair and unbiased opinion.