To Have and To Hold

Fall is by far my favorite season of the year. Something changes in the air. Perhaps it is the dance of the falling leaves on the wind, the crispness to the air or maybe it's just a time for great novel about love and romance while sitting by the warm fire and drinking something hot. To Have and To Hold is that perfect blend of three great fall romance novellas by Betsy St.Amant, Katie Ganshert and Becky Wade all gathered together in one great book. Each taking a turn at creating something unforgettable and timeless in each of their respective novellas.

Love Takes the Cake by Betsy St. Amant is a delightfully sweet tale of Charlotte Cantrell, owner and proprietress of The Donut Knot, a small bakery that she has always dreamed would one day provide the income a single mother like herself would need to support her young daughter Zoe. Now if she can simply put all romantic interest of out her mind and focus on working with her latest Bridezilla to determine which cake flavor she would most like for her wedding cake. Only it turns out that she is simply too stressed to make all these decisions and defaults under the suggestion of her fiancè to have the best man, Will Martin work with Charlotte to come up with the right combination for all her events leading up to the wedding. Now if she can only stick to her plan not to get involved with anyone while she dreams of what it would be like to date Will instead?

The Perfect Arrangement by Katie Ganshert takes us for a reminiscent ride back through all those old black and white romance movies with Amelia Woods who simply wanted to see what her former boyfriend, Matt's wedding looks like. She wasn't 'spying' she was simply putting her past behind her with this last attempt at letting go. She just never dreamed she would run into the next love of her life, literally by rear-ending his car. Turns out that Nate Galligher might have met his match with Amelia. As the two begin corresponding through email as Amelia attempts to apologize for hitting him and then leaving so quickly, it turns out that they have more in common than they thought and that is love for old classic movies and the romance that those former days seems to allude to. But will Amelia and Nate find the lasting connection or will they simply fade away into the sunset?

Love in the Details by Becky Wade wraps up the book with two former high school sweethearts, Holly and Josh, that are reunited again after 8 years to find themselves suddenly working together on a wedding. Their relationship ended with both being confused on why and thus hurt feelings materialize once again to show that those smoldering embers might just have an opportunity to fan into flames of a former love if they can simply find a way to communicate over what really happened and how a misunderstanding might just be a reason for finding forgiveness and a second chance at true happiness.

I received To Have and To Hold by Betsy St.Amant, Katie Ganshert and Becky Wade compliments of Net Galley and Zondervan Publishers. The best thing about a romance book like this one is you get a little taste of romance with three very talented authors. Kinda feels like a Hallmark movie marathon and for me, my favorite had to be The Perfect Arrangement simply because I am a fan of You've Got Mail and The Shop Around the Corner. They simply don't make them like that anymore and combined with just the right blend of comedy, romance and a yearning for something more, these all feel like their own novels on their own. If you have never read any of these author's books, please consider checking all of them out. For me this is another 5 out of 5 stars and now that it's fall, it seems like the perfect time for love and watching my favorite classic romance movies one more time. Each of these novellas offers their own discussion guides at the conclusion which makes this a perfect fit for book clubs.

For more information about To Have and To Hold, Betsy St.Amant, Katie Ganshert, Becky Wade or where you can pick up a copy of this book today, please click on the links below:

To Have and To Hold by Betsy St. Amant, Katie Ganshert and Becky Wade

You can find Betsy St.Amant on Facebook to stay up to date on all her latest novels.

You can find Katie Ganshert on Facebook to stay up to date on all her latest novels.

You can find Becky Wade on Facebook to stay up to date on all her latest novels.

To read more reviews on To Have and To Hold, please visit Zondervan Publisher's website. 

To Have and To Hold

My Review:

"Them there Yankee's are overrunning the island again!" shouts an elderly woman holding a loaded shotgun, while keeping an eye out over the grove of oak trees just off the porch of the house.

Not knowing what is causing the commotion, Audrey Cunningham comes running from the house only to see her elderly housekeeper, Thora, getting ready to fire again as a poor young man attempts to wave a white handkerchief from behind a tree.

Taking the shotgun away from Thora, Audrey reminds her that the war between the North and the South has been over for quite some time. Still mumbling to herself, Thora heads back into the house.

Now that Bridal Veils island is undergoing a huge renovation to complete with another renovation going on at Jekyll Island, across the river, there will be a lot of construction crews coming and going from the property her father still owns. A wealthy developer, Mr. Morley is working with other investors to build a clubhouse and hotel to rival that one being built on Jekyll Island. Audrey is hoping along with her father that this will help pay the years of back taxes her family owes on the house and 20 acres of property. Without it, they will be forced to sell the home that has been in her family for generations.

Her ailing father, Boyd is hoping to last long enough to see Audrey through the start of the process before his illness from many years of drinking takes its toll. His goal is to see her use faith in God to get her through this trying time and to hope that Marshall Graham can use his own experience in dealing with his father's death to help Audrey when the time comes.

I received, To Have and To Hold by Tracie Peterson and Judith Miller, compliments of Christian Fiction Blog Alliance for my honest review. Set in the late 1800's in the deep south, we get to see a struggling relationship between Audrey and her father Boyd, come to an understanding and a renewal of faith before her father's death, while he hopes that he can find a way to provide for her and save the land she has come home to save.

I would rate this one a 4.5 out of 5 stars. It took me a few chapters to get into the story before I was really hooked but once I was, I couldn't put it down. While I was reading, I was hearing the dialogue between Audrey and Marshall, like Rhett and Scarlett would have had. The relationship at the beginning has the volatility of two enemies but later you can see the softening as they learn to work out their differences and become friends.

Here is even more great information about the book, the authors, and where to get a sneak peek back into the deep south!

This week, the Christian Fiction Blog Alliance is introducing To Have and to Hold Bethany House (September 1, 2011) by Tracie Peterson
and
Judith Miller

ABOUT THE AUTHORS:

Tracie Peterson is the bestselling, award-winning author of more than 85 novels. She received her first book contract in November, 1992 with Barbour Publishings' Heartsong Presents. She wrote exclusively with Heartsong for the next two years, receiving their readership's vote for Favorite Author of the Year for three years in a row. In 1995 she signed a contract with Bethany House Publishers to co-write a series with author Judith Pella. Tracie now writes exclusively for Bethany House Publishers. She teaches writing workshops at a variety of conferences on subjects such as inspirational romance and historical research. Tracie was awarded the Romantic Times Career Achievement Award for 2007 Inspirational Fiction and her books have won numerous awards for favorite books in a variety of contests. Making her home in Montana, this Kansas native enjoys spending time with family--especially her three grandchildren--Rainy, Fox and Max.

Judith Miller's first novel, Threads of Love, was conceived when she was commuting sixty miles to work each day. She wanted to tell the story of a pioneer girl coming to Kansas and the faith that sustained her as she adjusted to a new life. Through a co-worker, she was directed to Tracie Peterson who, at that time, worked down the hall from her. Having never met Tracie, Judith was totally unaware of her writing career, but God intervened. The rest is, as they say, history. Since that first encounter many years ago, Judith has been blessed with the publication of numerous books, novellas and a juvenile fiction book. Joyously, she and Tracie had the opportunity to develop a blessed friendship. In fact, they have co-authored several series together, including The Bells of Lowell, the Lights of Lowell and The Broadmoor Legacy.


ABOUT THE BOOK

When Audrey Cunningham's father proposes that they move to Bridal Veil Island, where he grew up, she agrees, thinking this will help keep him sober and close to God. But they arrive to find wealthy investors buying up land to build a grand resort on the secluded island--and they want the Cunninghams' acreage.

Contractor Marshall Graham can't imagine why the former drinking buddy of his deceased father would beckon him to Bridal Veil Island. And when Boyd Cunningham asks him to watch over Audrey, Marshall is even more confused. He has no desire to be saddled with caring for this fiery young woman who is openly hostile toward him. But when Audrey seems to be falling for another man--one who has two little girls Audrey adores--Marshall realizes she holds more of his heart than he realized. Which man will Audrey choose? And can she hold on to her ancestral property in the face of overwhelming odds?

If you would like to read the first chapter of To Have and to Hold, go HERE.